Applies to rimantadine: oral tablet.
Serious side effects of Rimantadine
Along with its needed effects, rimantadine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rimantadine:
Less common
- Difficult or labored breathing
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking rimantadine:
Symptoms of overdose
- Anxiety
- chest pain or discomfort
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- hyperventilation
- irregular heartbeats
- irritability
- lightheadedness
- nervousness
- pounding or rapid pulse
- restlessness
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- shaking
- trouble with sleeping
Other side effects of Rimantadine
Some side effects of rimantadine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- acid or sour stomach
- belching
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- diarrhea
- difficulty with concentrating
- headache
- hearing loss
- heartburn
- impaired concentration
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- rash
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to rimantadine: oral syrup, oral tablet.
General
The more commonly reported adverse effects have included gastrointestinal and nervous system side effects.[Ref]
Nervous system
Gait abnormality, hyperkinesia, tremor, taste loss/change, parosmia, and convulsions have been reported in less than 0.3% of patients. Hypesthesia has occurred with higher than recommended doses. Dizziness and headache were reported up to two times more often in geriatric patients receiving rimantadine than in those receiving placebo. Seizures were reported in a few patients during clinical trials with rimantadine. In two patients, seizure activity had been absent for greater than 10 years. However, their anticonvulsant medications had been withdrawn in the previous few months.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, jitteriness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ataxia, somnolence
Frequency not reported: Gait abnormality, hyperkinesia, tremor, taste loss/change, parosmia, convulsions, hypesthesia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dry mouth, abdominal pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia
Frequency not reported: Constipation, dysphagia, stomatitis[Ref]
Constipation, dysphagia, and stomatitis have occurred with higher than recommended doses of rimantadine. Gastrointestinal symptoms (particularly nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) were reported at least twice as often in geriatric patients receiving rimantadine than in those receiving placebo. Tolerance may be improved by giving the drug in two divided daily doses.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, impaired concentration, nervousness, depression
Uncommon (1% to 10%): Agitation
Frequency not reported: Hallucinations, euphoria, anxiety, confusion
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disorder, heart block, hypertension, palpitation, pedal edema, tachycardia, syncope[Ref]
Cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disorder, heart block, hypertension, palpitation, pedal edema, tachycardia, and syncope were reported in less than 0.3% of patients.[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus
Frequency not reported: Fever, rigors[Ref]
Dermatologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diaphoresis, rash[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Nonpuerperal lactation, increased micturition frequency
Genitourinary side effects have included nonpuerperal lactation in less than 0.3% of patients. Increased micturition frequency has occurred with higher than recommended doses of rimantadine.
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Lacrimation, eye pain
